Home › Archive for obedience

Category: obedience

By Posted on Posted in anointing, God's leading, obedience, sanctification No Comments

 

joel 2.28

Most believers would probably agree that we are either in the “last days” or at least approaching them. In that case, it’s very likely that we are raising the sons and daughters that this scripture speaks of.

When I talk to moms about their kids today, I often hear that spiritual gifts, anointing, and callings are already presenting themselves. We are living in a time when the voice of God needs to be heard more than ever. Our children may very well be His voice in the wilderness! I also hear about the ways that the enemy is attacking our children and I see that there is serious opposition to the godly generation that God is raising up within our families.

Read more »

By Posted on Posted in God's covering, obedience, trusting Him No Comments

It’s been an interesting week.  Swimming upstream again, I’m afraid. After a few days of feeling like giving up (on everything) I needed the Lord to speak truth to me. What in the world was my problem??

Faithful as He is… the Lord answered straight away. He sent me to a certain passage in my bible, and I knew right away it was something I had already read recently. Irritated and impatient, I turned the pages wondering why we were going back there.

As soon as I read the words, I remembered. Ah, yes. We WERE here last week. The Lord had spoken some things to my heart through this particular passage. I remember feeling anxious about what He laid on my heart that morning. I wasn’t sure how to react… so I went with dismissal. I didn’t receive what He shared with me. I pushed it aside.

Somehow a week went by, and I guarded my heart from Him each day. Oh sure, I got up and read my bible each morning, but I closed up my heart. True, I prayed each day for help, for guidance, for freedom. But the walls were there.

I read these verses this morning, and they spoke to me so clearly:

Those who are far from You, Lord, will perish….But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.”   Psalm 73:27-28

The first part of this verse is very likely speaking primarily of salvation. Those that are far from God will perish eternally rather than be with Him in heaven. Although I am saved and do not need to worry about an eternity away from Him, I do need to see the effects of the unconscious decision to guard my heart from Him.

I was feeling it after a week. I was far from Him, and I felt as though I was perishing. Melting emotionally and struggling spiritually. It is good…really SO much more than good for me to be near God. To open up my heart to Him and share the fear, concern, anger, frustration, or whatever else is occupying my heart and mind. It is good to stay close to Him.

The last part of the verse gave me a new perspective. Like the Psalm writer, I made a decision to make the Sovereign Lord my refuge. When you see the word Sovereign in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word there is often Adonai, which means “Lord and Master”.

So often, I run from the Sovereign Lord instead of seeking refuge in Him. I see the power that He has over me as my Lord, and I worry that He will lead me down thorny paths. I allow fear to rule my heart.

A decision to find refuge in the Sovereign Lord is one that acknowledges that He is the One leading and guiding my life. He is the One that will make decisions for me. He is the One that I will follow. When I find refuge in Him in dark hours, I am clinging to the One that led me to the difficult place I’m in. How perfect that He should be the One to protect me!

I believe that He is good. Always good. I believe that He is loving. The most loving of all. I need to remember that whatever He permits me to go through is the most loving and good thing that I need at the time.

I don’t understand all of the things that He shared with me last week. However, I am making a conscious choice to trust Him rather than distance myself from Him. I taking refuge in the Sovereign Author-of-my-life-story Lord. No matter what He has planned, I am safe in the shadow of His wings.

By Posted on Posted in faith, obedience, trusting Him 1 Comment

I had some thoughts about faith last night.  Since it was date night at Knott’s, there were no strollers, no sibling squabbles. Just grown-ups going on rides and enjoying good food and company.

As one of the roller coasters was pulling us into the loading dock, I had these thoughts:

How foolish to put my life in the hands of 18-year-old ride operators in a 20 year old car, coasting along on metal rails, cruising at dangerous speeds over asphalt and trees!!!! Why is it so easy to trust that the rollercoaster is going to stay on track and keep me safe?

If I can put my trust in a roller coaster, then why is it so hard to put my trust in God? Silence. Pit in stomach. Ouch.

I started thinking about the reasons that cause me to step out in faith on a roller coaster. It’s thrilling, of course. I have the opportunity to watch it run the track over and over. People get on, and they get off safe and sound. My faith and trust build as I witness others survive and enjoy the experience. The more that I ride the coaster, the more comfortable I become. Every time that I return safely to the dock, my faith is fueled and I have what I need to do it again.

So, what can I learn from roller coasters to develop my trust in God? I need to watch others in their faith walk. Take note of the tumultuous paths they endure… and eventually exit. Listen to their stories and let that strengthen my faith.

I need to keep trusting God with whatever He calls me to (and whatever He does not call me to).  Let Him lead, let Him conduct, let Him choose the track. Every time I follow Him on a roller coaster ride… I must look back and remember what I enjoyed. Keep record of the miracles He performed for me and the lessons He taught me.

The more I ride with Him… the more I will trust Him for the next round!